I want to share with you some important Vitamin D information which are real facts. But before doing so, I would like to explain to you a little bit about this essential nutrient. It is much more than a vitamin; it is a hormone that is naturally formed in the skin through the sun rays. It has a very important role in our bodies. We have known for years that this vitamin is very important for the health of our bones and teeth. But recently, scientists and researchers have found that sufficient levels of Vitamin D in our bodies may boost our immune system, thus preventing us from getting infections and inflammation that result in the development of many fatal, infectious, autoimmune and chronic illnesses.
The Vitamin D Facts:
1) Having enough Vitamin D in our bodies, helps to:
o Lower the risk of some types of cancer,
o Prevent us from getting viral infections such as colds and influenza,
o Control our high blood pressure,
o Lower the risk for heart disease,
o Protect muscles and bones,
o Prevent development of depression, diabetes, dementia (mental impairment due to aging), or macular degeneration (common eye illness).
Vitamin Info
2) Having Vitamin D deficiency, may lead to:
o The development of certain types of cancer,
o Getting viral infections such as colds and influenza,
o The development of high blood pressure and heart diseases,
o The weakening of muscles, accelerating the progression of Multiple sclerosis,
o The weakening of bones, resulting in rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis,
o Depression, diabetes, dementia, or macular degeneration.
3) Recent statistics show that more than 70 percent of the population in the United States suffers from Vitamin D deficiency, especially black Americans and other dark skinned people, as well as the elderly population.
4) There are three ways to acquire Vitamin D in our bodies:
o Sun exposure,
o Eating Vitamin D rich foods,
o Taking a good Vitamin D supplement.
5) Unfortunately, not everyone is able to have enough sun exposure. This is either because of their lack of free time to spend outdoors, or their location on the globe. There are also other factors that interfere in the capacity of the skin to produce Vitamin D, such as dark skin, obesity, diabetes, and aging. On the other hand, there are very few foods that contain Vitamin D which makes it difficult for us to be able to get sufficient levels of it from our diets. Therefore, the best way for us to maintain an optimal level of this important vitamin in our bodies would be by taking a good Vitamin D supplement.
6) According to the Vitamin D Council, to avoid deficiency, the recommended daily intake is:
o Healthy kids under the age of 1 - 1,000 IU (international units),
o Kids over the age of 1 - 1,000 IU per every 25 pounds of body weight,
o Teenagers and adult - 5,000 IU.
7) There are two types of supplements:
o Vitamin D2 which is synthesized from plants and yeast and is less efficient,
o Vitamin D3 which is a more active and has similar properties to that formed in the skin when exposed to the sun.
Request your family doctor to perform a 25-hydroxyVitaminD test on your blood. Having less than 30 ng (nanograms)/ml is a sign of Vitamin D deficiency.
If results are positive, consider using at least two of the three methods of getting Vitamin D into your system:
o Expose unprotected arms and legs to the hot sun for about 10 minutes a day whenever possible (dark skinned people need at least 40 minutes of exposure),
o Try to include in your diet Vitamin D rich foods such as fatty fish (wild salmon, sardines, mackerel and tuna), Vitamin D fortified foods (milk, cereals, and juices), liver and eggs (the egg yolk is the D source),
o Take a good Vitamin D supplement daily.
Knowing these Vitamin D facts will ensure that you make a wise decision about your own health and that of your family.
Wouldn't you prefer to make a small investment today to maintain optimum health, instead of parting out your hard earned money on medical care for future unnecessary illnesses?
Be healthy with Vitamin D!